Echinacea

There are many herbal and natural remedies on the market, but
few are as known as well as the herb Echinacea. For many years,
Echinacea has been one of the world's most popular herbs, and
it is being studied for the ability to fight colds, flu, and
other common ailments and infections.

What is Echinacea?

The herb we know as Echinacea (aka in some circles the purple
coneflower) actually consists of nine distinct species, but
only three varieties are used in herbal medicine. The three
varieties are:

Echinacea engustifolia

Echinacea pallida

Echinacea purpurea

Various parts of the plants, like the roots, leaves, stems,
and flowers, are used in hundreds of different commercial products
and herbal supplements. Depending on the preparation and the
variety used, this popular herb may be able to stimulate the
immune system and fight bacteria, viruses, and other harmful
microbes.

Echinacea and the immune system

Echinacea is both safe and powerful, and it is thought to stimulate
various immune system cells that are crucial in the fight against
infection. Additionally the herb is also thought to boost the
ability of the cells to produce interferon, a substance vital
to the fighting of viruses.

In particular, Echinacea is thought to help reduce susceptibility
to colds and flu. This herb is most effective when taken at the
first sign of a cold or flu. For those who are already afflicted
by colds or the flu, Echinacea is believed to have the power
to shorten their duration and severity.

Echinacea is also being studied for its possible role in fighting
respiratory ailments as bronchitis, strep throat, and sinusitis.
It is thought that the immune boosting properties of Echinacea
are responsible for the ostensible effectiveness in fighting
chronic infections.

Echinacea and healing

Echinacea may also aid in speeding the healing of wounds to the
skin, and in reducing inflammation. Conditions treated by Echinacea
include burns, sores, cuts and scrapes, and also boils, abscesses,
canker sores, and eczema. Echinacea preparations can be applied
directly to the wound or taken orally to promote a healthy
immune system response.

Echinacea comes in a wide variety of forms, and many different
products, including tablets, capsules, soft gels, liquids, and
tinctures. Echinacea can also be bought as a dried herb and brewed
in a tea. There are a variety of Echinacea preparations consisting
of creams that can be rubbed onto sunburns and other skin irritations
to offer relief.

When buying Echinacea, either at your health food store or over
the internet, you should read the label carefully. Some preparations
will contain mixed ingredients from several different species,
and from many parts of the plant.